Review: J. Cole's 'K.O.D' Is a Tough, Rewarding Meditation on Addiction
The ambitious hip-hop outsider's substance-over-style approach makes for a challenging, powerful listen
Album Reviews
Review: Neil Young's 'Roxy: Tonight's the Night Live'
The songwriter opened a legendary L.A. club in 1973 with an incredible performance that spotlighted his classic album
Review: Sting and Shaggy Throw an Eclectic Reggae Party on '44/876'
The unlikely pairing pays homage to summertime staples from Bob Marley to the Beach Boys
Review: Tinashe's 'Joyride,' the Sound of an Innovator Trying to Fit In
After helping set the stage for artists like SZA and Khalid, the R&B singer's sophomore album compacts brilliant vocal nuance into Top 40 packages
Review: John Prine Finds Fresh Revelations on 'Tree of Forgiveness'
His first album of originals in more than a decade has all the qualities that have defined him as one of America's greatest songwriters
Review: Cardi B's Debut, 'Invasion of Privacy,' Is Personal, Undeniable
The chart-topping MC puts on her bloody shoes and dances the blues
Review: Megastar-Filled Elton John Tributes 'Revamp' and 'Restoration'
Pop heavies like Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga pay their respects, but most of the revelations come from Nashville
Review: Hinds, Spanish Indie-Rockers, Update Slack-Rock on 'I Don't Run'
Hard-sparkling guitars and an out-of-towners' approach to English make the band's classic indie references seem fresh again
Review: 'Johnny Cash: Forever Words' Honors His Unused Writing
Chris Cornell, Willie Nelson, Elvis Costello, John Mellencamp and more rework the legend's poetry, letters and lyrics
Review: Kali Uchis' 'Isolation' Proves She's an Exciting Young Talent
Forward-looking but vintage-feeling, the 24-year-old artist's debut LP recalls classic Beck and Outkast
Review: The Weeknd's 'My Dear Melancholy,' Mixes Deep Gloom, Tough Love
Abel Tesfaye's latest recalls his earlier, darker work and finds a new level of honest romantic affliction
Review: New LPs From Kacey Musgraves and Ashley McBryde
Musgraves' 'Golden Hour' and McBryde's 'Girl Goin' Nowhere' show country artists making up their own rules while still delivering classic songs
Review: Bettye LaVette Dives Deep Into Dylan on 'Things Have Changed'
Mixing beloved classics and Eighties cast-offs, the 72-year-old soul singer daringly reshapes the Dylan legend
Review: The Voidz and Albert Hammond Jr. Are Strokes Going Their Own Way
A pair of new albums show it's been a long time since "Last Nite"
Nineties Indie-Rock Lives On: New Albums by Yo La Tengo, Superchunk, GBV
As scads of young bands gravitate towards golden-age sounds, veteran heroes are still making excellent, urgent music